by Nancy Whelan

Cleaning oiled brown pelican at Fort Jackson Bird Rehabilitation Center in Buras, La. Photo courtesy of IBRRC.

Aug. 1, 2010 — One image from the Gulf of Mexico disaster that seems to have imprinted itself on our collective psyche is the majestic brown pelican, Louisiana’s state bird, drenched in oil, unable to move. The outpouring of inquiries from concerned citizens who want to help has flooded the hotlines of the wildlife rehabilitation organizations that are working 24/7 to care for the distressed wildlife on the Gulf. If you would like to volunteer to work with birds, however, you don’t have to wait for a spill event. In February of this year, more than 1,000 dead brown pelicans washed ashore between Southern Oregon and Southern California and hundreds more were treated for starvation and other problems. The need for volunteers to assist with all kinds of activities is ongoing. Here’s what you need to know if you want to get trained properly to assist with bird rescue and rehabilitation.

Education

We are lucky enough to have one of the world’s leading bird rescue organizations in our backyard. The International Bird Rescue Research Center has responded to over 150 spills since 1971, and its San Francisco Bay Oiled Wildlife Care and Education Center is located in Cordelia, just south of Fairfield. IBRRC works with local schools to promote environmental and bird care awareness and its website is an excellent educational resource for all ages. Stay tuned to the IBRRC blog, which delivers updates from the Gulf, where 40 members of the IBRRC Oil Spill Response Team are working onsite to rehabilitate and release oiled birds.

“Volunteers interested in doing one of IBRRC’s trainings will learn more about what is involved in rehabilitating these animals,” says Paul Kelway, IBRRC program manager. “There is a need for a greater awareness about coastal and marine birds, as well as the famous brown pelican, because they don’t typically get a lot of press. Our hope is to instill a greater appreciation for their fragility and beauty and for their plight.”

Volunteering

Do you want to learn more about working with birds?

If you have a sincere desire to help wildlife, can commit to a minimum of four hours per week and are at least 18 years old, consider becoming an IBRRC volunteer. Entry-level volunteers learn how to perform basic hospital duties such as cleaning cages, doing laundry and preparing food for the bird patients. Once these skills are mastered, you can progress to level two volunteer activities, which may include wildlife capture and restraint, weighing patients and administering medication. Level three volunteers are typically vet techs or are highly experienced with special skills.

Do you want to volunteer for future oiled wildlife rescue efforts in California?

Specific safety training is required in order to help wildlife during a future spill event:

1) Visit the Oiled Wildlife Care Network website.

2) Sign up with the Office of Spill Prevention and Response at the California Department of Fish and Game website.

3) Attend a mandatory OSPR introductory and safety presentation.

4) Sign an Oath of Allegiance to the State of California, along with other required paperwork.

Want to volunteer in the Gulf?

Volunteer activities in the Gulf are currently mostly clerical in nature. Contact the BP Community Support Team Hotline at 866-448-5816.

Donations

IBRRC helps aquatic birds and waterfowl during all kinds of events, not only during oil spills. Marine birds need help in the face of harmful algal blooms, red tides, marine and fishing debris, toxic runoff from farms and industry, and habitat destruction. You can help IBRRC cover the cost of its ongoing programs by becoming a member or by adopting a pelican. Donate $500 and become a “Pelican Partner.” Once your pelican is rehabilitated, you will be invited to witness the release and even open the bird’s cage and set it free. Visit IBRRC’s website for more details.

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